Category Archives: The Army

Digging for Victory…with troops from all parts of the Empire

                TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad  17 . 5 . 41   Dear Mother I suppose you know at home that the air mail service has been somewhat dislocated … Continue reading

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Different pictures in diary and letter; and a dramatic blitz on bugs

                  (Salvation Army paper with the admonitions: Remember the loved ones far away and write them a message of cheer today – at the top and PLEASE WROTE ON BOTH SIDES at … Continue reading

Posted in Camps and Barracks, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, organisation, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Could St John predict war’s end? Or maybe Einstein or Pythagoras?

      TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 5th May 1941 Dear Mother Though still in the same area as when I last wrote you, we – that is the party to which I am for … Continue reading

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Vindication for some, vengeance for others

  TX 1004 Private M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 1st May 41 Dear Mother I’ve had four letters this week – all very newsy and interesting and all written around Easter – Youngsters on the 10th, yours on the … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Hierarchy, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cakes, chocolates and other delicacies…with disastrous after effects

  TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF 26th April 1941 Dear Mother Since I wrote you last Sunday many amazing things have happened, not least of which has been the delivery of multitudes of parcels.  Late on Sunday … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, gambling and drinking, organisation, parcels, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wags and wits and desert manoeuvres

            TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 19th April 1941 Dear Mother I received your very welcome letter of the 31st March yesterday.  I’m glad my Palestine letters are getting home but … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, parcels, Posts and telegraph, training, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

War Diary March 21 – April 14 (Easter Monday) 1941

Friday 21st Wrote some letters during morning – afternoon ceremonial parade – marched to Brigade – welcome for Brigadier Baxter-Cox – a good show.  Long march back with fixed bayonets at attention – 1 1/2 miles.  When we got back … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, training, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries, weapons, armaments, equipment | Tagged | Leave a comment

AWL from guard duty – but what they don’t know…

                            TX 1004 Private Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 1st April 1941 Dear Mother We came back to camp last night after a very interesting weekend.  … Continue reading

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Middle East, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dear Dad…Have a look at my will

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad  25th.3.1941 Dear Dad I was very agreeably surprised to get your letter yesterday, written while you were in Melbourne.  It’s easy to understand now why I didn’t get many letters in … Continue reading

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Route Marches, diplomacy and meeting with Zincie Jokers

              TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 20th March 1941 Dear Mother Once again I have struck guard duty and so have an opportunity to catch up with my mail.  We’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Camps and Barracks, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Middle East, parcels, training, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment